Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21

.Dehhy and one of the newcomers should go
back and inform the neghborhood Of what
md taken place, gather party to remove
the dead from the creek and bury them, to
Keep the water from being poisoned and re-
cover what property might be found with tho
first wagon. Kent Edwards, Abe Bolton,
and two of the new corners would scout down
toward London, to ascertain tho truth of tho
rumor that Hohconcr had evacuated that
place and retired TO Laurel bridge, nine miles
south of it, Fortner and Harry Glen would
take the wagon to Wildcat Gap, report what
had been done, and explain to their com
znander the absence of the enlisted men
"Shadc of King Solomon" said Kent to
Abe, after their party had ridden for two or
three hours through the mountains toward
London IL wonder if there is any other
kind of worldly knowledge that ! know as
Ittle about as ] did of scouting when We
started outi My eyes have been opened to
my own ignorance. | used to have the CON
cet that we two could play a fair hand at any
game Of war they could get up for our enter
tainmout. But these Kcntuckians give me
points every hundred yards that | never so
much as dreamed of. Theirs is the wisdom
of serpents when compared with our dove
like innocence"
II like dove-lile innocence" interrupted
Abe
"But did you ever see anybody that could
go through tho country rs these fellows cam"
Its just marvellous. They know every short
cut TO every point, and they know just where
90 go every time to see away ahead without
being seen themselves. 1t would puzzle the
sharpcst Confederate bushwhacker to get the
drop on them"
~ don't know as I want to learn their way
Of doing" said Abe crustily. at looks like
sneakng, on big scale, that's all. And I'm
ashamed of this laying round behind log or
a rock to pop man over 1t amt my style
at all. ! believe in open and above board
lighting, give and take, and may the best
man win
$50 do l. though suppose alls fair In war.
But when we scout we give them the same
chance to knock us over that they give us
when they scout. I'll admit it looks like
murder to shoot men down that way, for it
does not help either side along a particle.
But these Kentuciians have great many
private injuries to avenge, and they can't do
It any other way"
All the people of the region were intensely
Union, so it was not difficult TO get exact in
formation of the movements of the Confed-
crates, snd as the scouts drew near London
they became assured that not only all of
Iolhcoilrr's infantry, but his small parties of
cayalry had retreated beyond the town. Our
scouts. therefore, putting Edwards and Bolton
to the front, that their blue uniforms might
Tell the character of the party, spurred into a
5allop, and dashed into London, to be re-
ecvcd with boundless enthusiasm
somebody ought TO ride back to Wildcat
-nlmcIiately,' sal Kent, after they had en-
lo!cd their reception little while, "and re-
port TINS to the general
All asSentod to this proposition
1T Is really the duty of myself and COM
cade here to do it," said Kent, shifting I'M
easily IN his chair, to find "a comfortable place
20 SIT upon; "but as we have been for two
lays riding the hardest backed horses over
roads that were simply awful, and as pre-
VIous to that time we had not taken any
equestrian exercise for several wears. there
are some fundamental reasons-that is rea-
sons lying at the very base of things The
shifted aGanD-why we should not be called
upon to do another mile of horseback riding
until Time has had an opportunity to exer-
rise his soothing and healing influence, so to
speak. Abe believe | have stated the case
with my usual happy combination of grace
and delicacy"
You have, as usual, flushed tail race of
big words"
an short Kent went on. "Ah, thank
Jou. That is delicious The best | ever
frank Your mountain stills make the finest
Apll"Jack in the world. There must be
something III the Water-that you don't put
II. lts as smooth as new made butter
.,,lor,, t. sl,. 'ei VI i'oiu'y ana
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